President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that "serious" members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team would travel to Ukraine this week for the first time, as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia intensify.

US President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine “may be Russian someday,” throwing into question the future independence of a sovereign country that, with Western backing, has defended itself against Moscow’s full-scale invasion for nearly three years.

Donald Trump has spoken of doing a deal with Ukraine to obtain rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. aid ahead of JD Vance's meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team would travel to Ukraine this week, the first such visit at an important diplomatic juncture in the war with Russia.

Donald Trump has said Ukraine “may be Russian someday” as senior figures in his administration prepare to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky this week.